MATCHA by wenyu he

ORIGIN OF MATCHA

wenyuhe2_1 — 2023-11-18 14:51:26 UTC

Matcha is finely ground powder of specially grown and processed green tea leaves originating in China traditionally consumed in East Asia. It is mostly produced in Japan today.The green tea plants used for matcha are shade-grown for three to four weeks before harvest; the stems and veins are removed during processing. During shaded growth, the plant Camellia sinensis produces more theanine and caffeine. The powdered form of matcha is consumed differently from tea leaves or tea bags, as it is suspended in a liquid, typically water or milk.

HISTORY OF MATCHA

wenyuhe2_1 — 2023-11-18 14:55:06 UTC

In China during the Tang dynasty (618–907), tea leaves were steamed and formed into tea bricks for storage and trade. The tea was prepared by roasting and pulverizing the tea, decocting the resulting tea powder in hot water, and then adding salt. During the Song dynasty (960–1279), the method of making powdered tea from steam-prepared dried tea leaves and preparing the beverage by whipping the tea powder and hot water together in a bowl became popular.

PRODUCTION

wenyuhe2_1 — 2023-11-18 14:57:45 UTC

Matcha is made from shade-grown tea leaves that also are used to make gyokuro. The preparation of matcha starts several weeks before harvest and may last up to 20 days, when the tea bushes are covered to prevent direct sunlight. This slows down growth, stimulates an increase in chlorophyll levels, turns the leaves a darker shade of green, and causes the production of amino acids, in particular theanine. After harvesting, if the leaves are rolled up before drying as in the production of sencha (煎茶), the result will be gyokuro (jade dew) tea. If the leaves are laid out flat to dry, however, they will crumble somewhat and become known as tencha (碾茶). Then, tencha may be deveined, destemmed, and stone-ground to the fine, bright green, talc-like powder known as matcha.

TENCHA

wenyuhe2_1 — 2023-11-18 14:59:28 UTC

Tencha refers to green tea leaves that have not yet been ground into fine powder as matcha, as the leaves are instead left to dry rather than be kneaded. Since the leaves' cell walls are still intact, brewing tencha tea results in a pale green brew, which has a mellower taste compared to other green tea extracts, and only the highest grade of tencha leaves can brew to its fullest flavor. Tencha leaves are half the weight of other tea leaves such as sencha and gyokuro so most tencha brews require double the number of leaves. About an hour is needed to grind 40 to 70 g of tencha leaves into matcha, and matcha does not retain its freshness as long as tencha in powder form because powder begins to oxidize. Drinking and brewing tencha is traditionally prohibited by the Japanese tea ceremony.

GRADE-CEREMONIAL GRADE

wenyuhe2_1 — 2023-11-18 15:01:41 UTC

Ceremonial grade designates tea for its use in tea ceremonies and Buddhist temples. All must be able to be used in koicha (濃茶), a "thick tea" with a high proportion of powder to water used in traditional tea ceremony. Ceremonial is the finest and purest form of matcha.

GRADE-PREMIUM GRADE

wenyuhe2_1 — 2023-11-18 15:02:47 UTC

Premium grade is high-quality matcha green tea that contains young tea leaves from the top of the tea plant. Best for daily consumption, it is characterized by a fresh, subtle flavor, usually perfect for both new and everyday matcha drinkers alike.

Grade-COOKING GRADE

wenyuhe2_1 — 2023-11-18 15:04:50 UTC

Cooking/culinary grade is the cheapest of all. Suitable for cooking purposes, smoothies etc. It is slightly bitter due to factors such as its production from leaves lower down on the tea plant, terroir, the time of harvest, or the process of its manufacture.

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wenyuhe2_1 — 2023-11-18 15:06:46 UTC

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wenyuhe2_1 — 2023-11-18 15:08:38 UTC